The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, says it has completed the transportation of 4, 859 pilgrims from the state to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 Hajj.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the last batch of 474 pilgrims was transported by Max Airline at about 3 a.m on Thursday.
Speaking to NAN at the Sultan Abubakar International Airport Sokoto, the Director General of the agency, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar said the pilgrims were transported in nine consecutive flights.
Umar, who described the exercise as successful, commended Governor Aminu Tambuwal, airline operators, individuals and voluntary groups that facilitated the success of the exercise.
The official disclosed that some individuals and organization had distributed printed and audio copies of Hajj guide to the pilgrims to facilitate understanding of the process.
Umar confirmed that some of the intending pilgrims were substituted due to ill health, pregnancy, accidents and deaths, adding that the figure for the total number of those affected was being compiled.
One of the pilgrims and Chairman of Illela Local Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Haruna, commended the agency for the arrangements it had made so far to ensure the comfort of pilgrims.
The chairman pledged that the pilgrims would be good ambassadors of the state and country while in the Holy Land.
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